Chapter 22
(Flashback)
Some years ago, the cadets of the 104th Cadet Corps complete a snowstorm training exercise, arriving at a base at the foot of a mountain.
"Thought we're going to die for sure..." Eren sighs.
"No one ever said winter training would be this tough." Katrina adds.
"Damn it, I can't feel my legs." Jean says.
"I wish they'd let us inside already." Connie adds.
"I bet they're putting together a huge feast for us!" Sasha says.
"Hey! Christa is missing!" Reiner says while running towards them.
"She was sticking with Daz since he wasn't doing so well." Mikasa says.
"Daz isn't here either." Reiner adds. "Ymir as well."
"Maybe they're with the last squad?" Marco adds.
"Can't be. The last squad, led by Thomas, just arrived." Reiner says. "They've never saw those three."
"Are you telling us that they're lost?" Armin asks.
"They don't stand a chance if they're stuck in this blizzard." Peter says.
"We need to go back out and find them!" Aya says.
"I'm with you." Eren says.
"Me too." Katrina adds.
Peter and Odom also try to leave, but Mikasa grab Odom's arm. "Guys..."
"Everyone, get in the cabin." The instructor says.
"But Christa..." Eren protests.
"Yeah. We'll send a rescue team first thing in the morning."
"It'll be too late before then." Katrina protests.
"We can't have any more victims!" Instructor says, causing them to grit their teeth.
Elsewhere in the storm, Christa and Ymir make their way through a forest with Daz unconscious in a cot pulled by Christa. Ymir notices that Christa has not asked for help during their entire course, and she realizes that Christa has no intention of saving Daz or herself. She says that it would be very against Christa's character to bring about Daz's death while searching for her own heroic end, but Christa insists that such is not the case.
Then Ymir brings up Christa's past and her reason to join the Cadet Corps. Christa wonders if Ymir joined the Cadet Corps in order to find her, and Ymir proposes that it may be due to her own past being similar. Christa wonders if Ymir originally wanted to befriend her, but Ymir says that they are nothing alike. Unlike Christa, Ymir kept her old name after starting a new life, and abandoning her name would be to admit defeat. By living for herself, she robs her enemies of their power. Ymir scolds Christa for looking for death rather than directing her feelings toward her enemies, and Christa says that there is no longer any way for all three of them to survive their mission.
Then Ymir decides to abandon Christa and bring Daz to the base camp, but Christa still manages to get back safe and sound. Ymir decides to reveal to Christa how she saved Daz, but only if she promises to live by her true name when her secret eventually becomes known to everyone.
(Flashback Ends)
Back in Utgard Castle, Odom and Ymir are now fighting against the Titans by changing into the Titans, unlike Ymir, Odom is flying in the sky and he manages to tear the heads of the Titans off with ease. As for Ymir, she's biting the napes of each titan.
"Is this real? Both Odom and Ymir are Titans as well?" Connie asks.
"Ymir..." Christa gasps.
"Th-That Titan is..." Reiner gasps after seeing Ymir's Titan, remembering that Ymir was the one who ate their friend Marcel that day.
Christa is about to fall until Odom quickly flies towards her and says, "Guys! The Tower is collapsing! Get on my back!"
The four of them are surprised, as they jump onto Odom. "You can talk in your Titan form?" Christa asks Odom.
"I've trained with Eren and Katrina for 5 years." Odom replies.
"Wait, so did you all know that Ymir is a Titan?" Reiner asks.
"I had no idea." Christa says.
"Me neither." Odom says while flying down to another Titan and tearing the head off. But deep down inside, Eren has actually warned him about Ymir being the Jaws Titan.
"In other words, she knew some of the secrets of our world." Reiner says. "And I never suspected a thing."
"Hey... Do you think she's known about it?" Connie asks. "Eren was the Rogue Titan, Katrina was the Weather Titan... and now Odom and Ymir... you guys all aware of being a Titan all along..."
"Does that mean Ymir might be an enemy of humanity?" Christa asks.
"Of course, she isn't, and that's what Eren told me." Odom says. "However, I can't say the same thing for the Beast, Armored, Colossal, and Female Titan. Who knows what she might have been thinking?"
"I wonder what is Ymir's goal..." Bertolt asks, "And can't we go down to the ground? It's quite dizzying while we're on you and try not to fall off.
"You don't have any weapons, it's dangerous for you to be on the ground considering the Titans." Odom says.
Christa notices that Ymir is struggling and she says, "If she wanted to, she could've used this power to escape all on her own. And yet, she's not doing that. It's us... She's risking her life to protect us."
Christa is angry, "Why? Odom! Get me close to Ymir!"
Odom is surprised, but he says, "Fine." Then as they get closer, Odom makes sure that none of the Titans are going to hurt the four on him. Christa turns to Ymir and yells, "Don't you die, Ymir! Not in a place like this!"
"Hey!" Connie tries to hold Christa on, even though they're on top of a Titan, but it is also dangerous. Christa yells, "Don't pretend like you're good, you idiot! You wanna go out in a blaze of glory? Are you stupid?! It's too late for you to try and get into heaven! Life for yourself, goddammit! If you're gonna die protecting this tower, forget about it! Tear it down!"
"Hey! Be careful!" Connie yells.
Then Ymir decides to destroy the tower so that the rest of the Titans are crushed. Odom finally finds a safe spot as he puts them down, with Ymir also approaching them. However, the Titans emerge again and Odom says, "Them again?"
"Hey, Odom! Ugly! Finish the job!" Connie yells.
Odom and Ymir are attacking the Titans, but more and more are getting back up. Connie says, "This looks bad..."
Just then, the Titans are trying to eat Ymir, and the same goes for Odom. Christa tries to get to Ymir, "Ymir! Wait! I have something to tell you! I still haven't told you my real name!"
When a Titan is about to devour Christa, Mikasa appears and slashes the Titan's neck.
"Christa. Everyone, get back!" Mikasa says. "We've got this! Leave the rest to us!"
Just then, Eren, Armin, Aya, Katrina, Peter, and Sasha also come with their ODM gears as they slash the Titans. The Hange Squad and some of the scouts are also arriving with horses and ODM gears.
"Odom needs some help! Peter!" Katrina yells.
"Leave it to me." Peter bites his hand and turns into the Ocean Titan, using the power of the water, he manages to blast the Titans away while grabbing Odom's body in time.
"Thanks, bro." Odom says.
Eren, Aya, and Katrina manage to finish off the Titans, and they see Connie, Reiner, and Bertolt approaching them.
"You guys!" Aya says. "Are you fine?"
"Wait, so even Peter is a Titan as well?" Reiner asks.
"Yeah, looks like the four of us are busted. Not that it matters." Katrina says. "By the way, where is that Beast Titan?"
Connie looks at the wall and says, "It's gone..."
After daylight, they find Ymir lying in the rubble with Hange and Christa by her side. "So even the Jaws shows herself..." Eren says.
"So you know that Ymir is a Titan?" Armin asks Eren.
"I know..." Eren says. Aya just walks towards Ymir and Christa, "Is she alright?"
"I think so..." Christa says, Aya just touches Ymir's hand, and suddenly, her hair changes into light green color. Eren says, "Aya, your hair..."
"It changed again..." Katrina says as he looks at Reiner and Bertolt, fortunately, none of them notice Aya's hair color changing.
Ymir slowly wakes up and Christa says, "My real name... is Historia..."
Ymir smiles before closing her eyes again. After taking Ymir to the stretcher, Peter turns to Aya and asks, "So once you touch one of the 12 Titans, your hair color will change... but why is that?"
"I don't know...And for some reason, the Female Titan's powers are in me as well..." Aya frowns.
"There are so many mysteries...however..." Eren notices Reiner and Bertolt. "Good thing that they didn't notice anything."
Christa is trying to talk to Hange to spare Ymir, and Hange asks, "You said... your real name was Historia Reiss?"
"Yes, that's right." Christa says.
"Reiss, as in that noble family?" Hange asks.
"Yes." Christa frowns. Hange touches her shoulder and says, "Nice to meet you, Historia."
"Yeah..."
Eren and the others decide to approach Reiner, who is still injured. "You're all right, Reiner?" Eren asks.
"Not by a long shot." Reiner says. "A Titan nearly gnawed off my arm. That was... pathetic. I thought I was done for."
"Even someone as strong as you get this way sometimes." Aya says.
"What are you talking about? This is the second time for me!" Reiner says. "Right, Armin? Remember the time I almost got crushed in that Titan's hand?"
"Oh..." Armin says as he remembers the Female Titan trying to squeeze Reiner.
"That makes twice I've nearly died." Reiner says. "At this rate, I'll be dead before I know it. I picked this path on my own, but being a soldier is rough. It's like a soldier's spirit breaks down before their body. Though, until we plug up this wall, there's no time to waste whining about it."
"Yeah." Katrina says, "You two have been driven far enough away from your hometown. I'm thinking... this is where we gotta draw the line."
"He's right, Reiner! Let's go back! Our hometown! Let's return!" Bertolt says. "Isn't it about time to go back? Compared to all the trouble we've been through, what's left to do is nothing!"
"That's right." Reiner says. "We're so close, it's just another few steps till the end." Reiner says.
While they're talking, Eren is also talking to Aya. "So Aya, do you think if you touch Reiner and Bertolt, your hair color will change again?"
"I don't know... but every time my hair color changes, I feel stronger than ever..." Aya says.
Connie then turns to Katrina and asks, "Is it true that you saved my mother? Where is she right now?"
"She's at the ward, don't worry, she's safe. However, we didn't see your other family..." Katrina frowns.
"I see..." Connie frowns.
Hange then walks towards them and says, "Is everyone clear? We'll deal with Ymir later. And Connie... I'll arrange for a Scout squad to investigate your village later. For the time being, I want you to focus on the mission to fix the wall. Got it?"
"Got it!" Connie says.
"Still... I expected this place to be swarming with Titans." Hange says.
They also spot Hannes riding the horse. Aya says, "It's Hannes!"
"It's the Garrison's advance squad." Hange says. "They came to tell us where the hole is."
But it turns out that there is no hole anywhere, and only a few of them know what's going on. Just as they are going back to the Trost District, Hannes says, "Anyways, whatever you do, don't let your guard down. We're going back ahead of you." Then Hannes leaves.
Armin says, "What could this mean? There's been nothing like this in five years. Why is it all happening now?"
"This world is getting more and more out of hand." Sasha adds.
As for the group of five, they know what's going on and Katrina says, "Do you think we'll get to see our half-brother again?"
"I guess so..." Eren says.
"Eren, guys." They turn around to see Reiner and Bertolt. "Have a minute? We need to talk."
"What about?" Peter asks.
"Five years ago, we demolished the wall and began our attack on humanity." Reiner says. "I'm the Armored Titan and he's the Colossal Titan."
Eren and the other 4 are surprised that they reveal themselves. Odom asks, "What are you talking about?"
"Why are you telling them, Reiner?" Bertolt asks.
"Our primary goal was to ensure all of humanity was wiped out, but now, there's no need for that. If you guys agree to come with us, we won't have to destroy any more of the walls." Reiner says. "Understand?"
"No, wait! I don't understand at all!" Aya says.
"Yeah, what's up with that?" Katrina asks.
"I'm saying, why don't you just come with us?" Reiner asks. "I know this is sudden, but we need to go now."
Eren says, "Right now? Where will you take us?"
"We can't say that yet." Reiner says. "But... Well, it's something like our hometown. So? What will it be? It's not a bad deal, right? You can easily avert this crisis."
"I wonder about that..." Eren says.
(Flashback)
Back in Ehrmich District, the scouts were discussing Reiner and Bertolt came from the same area as Annie. And they might be the ones who told Annie to attack.
"So just in case, I'd like to hear from you how these three interacted during training." Hange asks.
"We knew Reiner and Bertolt were from the same place." Armin says. "But they didn't seem close to Annie."
"Yeah, Annie only gets close to Armin and Eren." Katrina says.
"I don't recall ever seeing the pair talking to Annie that much." Eren says. "But if I want to know, Reiner is acting like everyone's big brother, and he seems to take care every one of us."
"I agree." Armin says, "Reiner gave everything he had fighting the Female Titan with me. He would have gotten crushed in her hand if he hadn't-"
Then Armin gasps as he realizes that Reiner might be giving Annie the information at that time. Then Armin also realizes that his mistake that causes the rest of the Levi Squad to be killed.
"I see... so that's why the Female Titan, no, Annie, knows why we're there." Peter frowns.
"Everyone, listen up! Supposing that we find Reiner or Bertolt, act in such a way as to not reveal ay suspicions." Hange says. "Of course, do not make any mention of Annie Leonhart either. Regardless if they're Annie's accomplices or not, we need to lead them deep underground and confine them."
"Damn it... Odom is not here, he might spill the beans..." Peter gasps.
Hange frowns, "If he accidentally spills the beans, then we have no other choice."
(Flashback Ends)
"I guess you guys are just tired, aren't you?" Aya says while putting her arm on Reiner's shoulder, and her hair color becomes yellow.
At the same time, Katrina turns to Odom and says, "A second, please?"
Odom is dragged to the side and Katrina asks, "Did you mention Annie?"
"I only mentioned that the Female Titan was captured." Odom says.
"I see... listen, Hange gave us a plan..." Katrina whispers to Odom.
Then she turns to Bertolt and says, "Right, Bertolt? You've been though so much, it's making you crazy."
"Y-yeah!" Bertolt says. "Reiner's just really tired." Bertolt says.
"Besides, if you were really the Armored Titan that wants to destroy humanity, why would you be asking us this in the first place?" Eren asks.
"Yeah, what did you think would happen? That we'd nod and say, "Sure, let's go"?" Peter asks.
Reiner is sweating and he says, "That's right. What the hell was I thinking? Have I really gone crazy?"
"Come on, let's go." Aya says while grabbing Bertolt's hand with Eren doing the same thing to Reiner's hand. But just then, the flag breaks and they quickly let go of it with surprise. Aya's hair color also changes to orange.
"Hey, Aya, I thought your hair color was green, how did it become orange all of a sudden?" Reiner asks.
"Really? My hair color changed?" Aya asks. "Maybe you have a better answer to why my hair is changing?" Aya asks.
"I see..." Reiner says. "That's it. I've been here too long for my own good. It's been three long years... surrounded by nothing but idiots. We were just kids... We don't know anything. If only I never knew that there were people like this... I... wouldn't have become...such a half-assed piece of shit!"
They see that Reiner's arm is healing, and he says, "It's too late now... I don't know what's right anymore. But the only choice for me now... is to face the consequences of my actions and as a Warrior, fulfill my duty to the bitter end!"
Everyone gasps as they see Reiner healing, Bertolt yells, "Reiner! Are we doing it?! Now? Right here?!"
"Yeah! We settle this... right here, right now!" Just then, Aya and Mikasa take out their blades as they try to slash at Reiner and Bertolt at the same time, with the other four jumping out of the way.
Then they start to transform and Armin yells, "Guys! Get out of there!"
But it's too late, the lightning glows and both of them are transforming into Armored Titan and Colossal Titan. Bertolt also grabs the stretcher with Ymir on it, Christa yells, "Ymir!"
"Eren! Aya! Katrina! Peter! Odom!" All five of them were grabbed by Reiner, and Eren yells, "You damn traitors!"
Then the four of them start to transform into Titans and punch at them.
Here is a new chapter, and Reiner and Bertolt reveal themselves, and Aya also gains their powers as well. I hope you like this chapter.